Dog licences

Licensing your dog

All dogs must have a valid licence and wear identification with the name and address of their keeper, either on a tag or engraved on a collar plate. Owners must supply the identification themselves. A dog licence is valid for one year. 

We only license dogs that are kept in the Belfast City Council area.

To license your dog, you will need:

• the microchip number for the dog(s)
• the name of the organisation that inserted the microchip
• the breed of your dog (we can't register dogs as 'mongrels', so check the nearest breed by visiting the Kennel Club (link opens in new window).

You do not need to license your dog if it is:

• a puppy under six months old and kept by the person who is also the keeper of the puppy's mother
• an assistance dog used by a disabled person
• a police dog

Cost of a dog licence

How to apply

If you are licensing your dog for the first time and do not qualify for a concessionary licence, you can apply online. If you do qualify for concessionary rate licence, and are applying for the first time or you need to change to a concessionary rate licence, you can email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431.

Apply for a new dog licence online

You can also apply by:

• email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
• calling 028 9027 0431 to request an application form; or
• in person at Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm, and Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Any information you provide in this application is open to public scrutiny, and if requested we have a legal obligation to provide it.

How to renew

Each year, around two weeks before your dog licence is due to expire, we will send you a renewal reminder. 

You can only renew your licence online from 30 days before it is due to expire and for 30 days after its renewal date.

Your dog licence and microchip number will be on your reminder, and you should use these numbers when renewing your licence. If you are renewing your licence online, make sure to enter the licence and microchip number exactly as they appear on your reminder.

You can renew a single dog licence online. 

Renew your dog licence online 

You can also renew your dog licence in person at Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm, and Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Concessionary rate licences

You can apply for a concessionary rate licence by post.

You can apply for a concessionary rate for your dog licence if you:

• are over 65
• receive income related benefit or a member of a couple that receives an income-related benefit or
• have had your dog neutered or spayed.

However, you may need to provide us with proof that you are eligible for this discount.

We will carry out random validation checks on your eligibility for a concessionary rate dog licence and you must provide proof on request.

Documents needed

If you are applying for a discount because you receive any of the benefits above you may need to show us proof you qualify for the reduced price.

• a printed letter from a local Social Security Agency or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• the letter must show your name and address
• the letter must be stamped and dated (the date should not be more than six months old).

Once we have registered your proof of age and if the dog has been spayed or neutered we will hold these on file and you will not have to produce them when renewing your licence.

If you are in receipt of any of these benefits, you may need to provide proof of this each time you license your dog as circumstances may have changed.

Apply for a block dog licence

A block licence is available to an owner of three or more dogs kept on the same premises as long as at least three are unsterilised bitches, which between them breed less than three litters in a 12 month period, or the premises are registered guard dog kennels, or where at least three dogs are registered with one of these bodies:

• the Kennel Club
• the Irish Coursing Club
• the Masters of Foxhounds Association
• the Masters of Harriers and Beagles Association
• the Northern Ireland Masters of Hounds Association
• the International Sheep Dog Society

To apply for a block dog licence, request an application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

If you wish to buy a block dog licence, you must supply certificates of registration with any of those bodies along with their application. We accept copies of registration documents and will return these once we issue the licence.

Block licences are valid for one year. No concessions are available for block licences.

Refunds and transfers

If your dog dies, you can apply for a refund of your licence. You must apply within 30 days of your dog's death.

• Request a dog licence refund application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

You can also transfer your licence to another dog but you must do this within 30 days of your dog's death.

• Request a dog licence transfer certificate application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

Fines for not licensing your dog

The fixed penalty notices for dog licensing offences are:

• not having a licence for your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)
• not displaying an ID on your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)

If you do not pay a fixed penalty notice, you could be taken to court, where you could be fined up to £1,000.

Pay a fine

Prohibited dog breeds

Prohibited dog breeds cannot be registered unless they have an exemption. The prohibited breeds are:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero
• Japanese Tosa

If you would like to discuss, email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431.

XL Bully type dogs

From 5 July 2024, XL Bully type dogs have been added to the list of restricted breeds in Northern Ireland.

This means that owners must make sure that their dog is muzzled and on a lead in a public place. It also means it is illegal to sell, gift, exchange or breed from an XL Bully type dog.

There is more information for XL Bully type owners on the nidirect website (link opens in new window)

While it is currently still legal to own an XL Bully in Northern Ireland, this will change on 31 December 2024, when it will become an offence to own an XL Bully in the absence of an Exemption Certificate. Read more about XL Bully Exemption Certificates.